The 21 st Century Scholars Program Take a

The 21 st Century Scholars Program Take a Step Toward Your Future

My Story… Your Story • Who am I? • Who do you want to be? • What do you enjoy doing?

Why Go to College?

Top Four Reasons 1) More opportunities and choices 2) More money 3) Job security 4) Model Citizen

Excuses, Excuses … Despite all the reasons to go to college, people still make excuses not to go.

College Conversation Starters • I don’t need to go to college to get a good job. • I am not a very good student; I don’t think I could make it in college. • No one in my family ever went to college. • I can’t afford college.

Convinced that college is a good idea? With the 21 st Century Scholars Program you CAN make your college dream and career goals a reality.

21 st Century Scholars helps students stay on track for college and career success.

The 21 st Century Scholars Program Provides: • Tuition assistance • College and career readiness through the Scholars Success Program • Other support and services

What is Expected of a 21 st Century Scholar Students enrolled in the 21 st Century Scholars Program must honor the 21 st Century Scholar Pledge.

As a Scholar, you pledge to: üComplete the Scholar Success Program, which includes activities at each grade level in high school to help you stay on track for college and career success. üGraduate from a state-accredited high school with a minimum of a Core 40 diploma and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2. 5 on a 4. 0 scale. üNot use illegal drugs, commit a crime or delinquent act, or consume alcohol before reaching the legal drinking age.

The Scholar Pledge ü File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 15 as a high school senior and each year thereafter until you graduate from college. ü Apply to an eligible Indiana college as a high school senior, and enroll as a full-time student within one year of high school graduation. ü Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards established by my college. ü Complete 30 credit hours each year you are in college to stay on track toward earning your degree on time.

The Scholar Pledge I will complete the Scholar Success Program to help me stay on track for college and career success.

Scholar Success Program

The Scholar Pledge I will graduate with at least a Core 40 Diploma from a high school accredited by the Indiana Department of Education.

The Scholar Pledge I will achieve a cumulative high school GPA of at least 2. 5 on a 4. 0 scale.

The Scholar Pledge I will apply for admission to an eligible Indiana college, university or proprietary institution as a high school senior.

The Scholar Pledge I will apply on time for state and federal student financial aid by April 15 of my senior year of high school.

The Scholar Pledge I will not use illegal drugs or alcohol, or commit a crime or delinquent act.

Completing the Application

Who is Eligible? To enroll in the 21 st Century Scholars program, you must: • Be a resident of Indiana as an applicant and as a scholarship recipient (determined by the residency of your parent or legal guardian); • Be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen; • Be enrolled in the 7 th or 8 th grade at a charter school, freeway school or other Indiana school accredited by the Indiana Department of Education; • Agree to fulfill the 21 st Century Scholars Pledge; • Meet income eligibility requirements.

What Information Do I Need to Apply? • Student’s Social Security Number, date of birth and address; • Parent or guardian’s Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, if applicable; • 2016 gross income amounts for all members of the household. If applying after December 31, 2017, you will use 2017 tax information. • A valid email address.

How Do I Apply? • CREATE AN ACCOUNT – Visit Scholar. Track. IN. gov to “Create an Account” and select “I am a parent or guardian. ” • APPLY FOR SCHOLARS – Parents can apply to 21 st Century Scholars via the Scholar. Track system. Click on “My Account” to submit an application. • TRACK PROGRESS – Parents can track student’s progress in high school and view student’s scholarship status by clicking “View/Edit Student. ”

Next Steps

After Enrollment • Keep your school and contact information current • Look for communications from the 21 st Century Scholars Program • Find more resources to support your college and career goals (visit Learn. More. Indiana. org) • Start thinking about college! 25

Tracking Progress Online üScholar. Track — online tool for managing progress üCreate a personalized account üStudents use Scholar. Track to confirm they’ve completed requirements

Questions? • Visit Scholars. IN. gov • Email Scholars@che. IN. gov • Call 1 -888 -528 -4719